Airbus SAS, the world’s largest commercial plane maker, will deliver 80 airplanes to China in 2009, after delivering over 70 units last year.Airbus China President Laurence Barron said at the 13th Beijing International Aviation Exposition that Airbus was confident of China’s aviation market despite the global economic recession, as the country’s major airlines reported profits during the first half of the year, and the market expanded by 20% in the period.
China has 514 Airbus planes in service, accounting for 41% of the country’s total fleet of large commercials. Airbus A320 makes up 82% of the total Airbus aircraft in service in China.
China Knowledge reported that in August the total air traffic turnover increased 7.4% month on month and 30.6% year on year.
The passenger traffic turnover rose 7.6% month on month and 41.6% year on year, and the cargo traffic turnover grew 8.6% month on month and 18.1% year on year.